Places to visit & what to do in the Pikes Peak region
Your guide to Colorado Springs
Howdy, friends! Have you been thinking of taking a weekend trip to the mountains? Breathing in the fresh air from the pines and getting a view of the sun setting behind the mountains—ahhh. Colorado Springs has that to offer and so much more!
My name is Brody and I'm a Colorado photographer who travels all across Colorado and the Southwest. This guide provides helpful tips and destinations to consider when planning your trip to Colorado Springs.
What to Do in a Weekend in Colorado Springs
All this talk about things to do, so you know I’m going to hook you up with some local icons! Now, I get excited about sharing and have a habit of rambling about things that I’m excited about so I’ll keep it short and sweet for y’all!
The best weekend in colorado springs
Pike's peak
The iconic and notable "Fourteener" that is home to national forest land and a hub for recreation and adventure. There's so many activities depending on what your fix is, there's trophy fishing at alpine lakes, stunning bike trails, plenty of view sheds of the might mountain, and so much more to be discovered!
Garden of the gods & Manitou Springs
A gem of a free, public park located near the foothills with its abundance of trails and wildlife, it's an oasis within reach of the city. Recently, Manitou Springs was voted as one of the Runner-Ups from USAToday's Top 10 Small Towns in the West for its notable charm and quaintness. Garden of the Gods
Downtown Colorado Springs
A fast-growing, lively city center that makes for a fabulous side-quest on any adventure! I can't count how many times I've explored somewhere new when I'm downtown. The city also hosts many events in the park like live music, ice skating, and car shows! There's so much to be discovered, just depends on what kind of fun you're looking for.
A midday drive up Pike's Peak
Known for being the home of America’s Mountain, or Pike’s Peak, the big ole mighty mountain that crowns the city. It’s a gateway to hundreds of trails within its parks and open spaces, and some even take you right into the Front Range! Colorado Springs is where you want to go when you have a drive for adventure but want the amenities of the city. From its charming coffee shops and eateries to the hustling and bustling night life, you’re sure to find a new favorite to come back to!
Photographer Tip:
If you're taking the Cog Railway, try to nab a seat on the right side to get the best mountain views for the ascent. If you're brave, try sitting on the end seat so you get an uninterrupted view!
At the summit, the light is intense–use sunglasses, and if you're taking photos, bump your exposure compensation down a bit to keep the sky from getting blown out.
The Devil's Playground near the summit of Pike's Peak. Photo: Brody Lee Photo Co.
HIT THE HIGHWAY–PIKE'S PEAK HIGHWAY, THAT IS!
One big, audacious goal for Colorado Springs is to have a trail system that connects its residents from the foothills to the top of Pike's. As of 2025, there's plans to connect Cheyenne Mountain to Blodgett Peak via the Chamberlain trail system that has already been started with construction beginning as early as 2026. You can read more about the "Dream Trail" and the full story that the Colorado Gazette shared here.
There's a decent amount of recreational activities to explore around the Pike's Peak Region, keep reading to find out some of the popular favorites! If you’re going to do one thing in “the Springs” while you’re in town, you better pay a visit to Pike’s Peak. For my adrenaline fiends, buckle your seatbelt and hit the highway—Pike’s Peak Highway, that is! Yep, you can drive straight up to the 14,000+ foot high summit. It takes a couple of hours to make the drive up and back, and that’s without stopping for views and exploring (which is also encouraged). Take lunch in a cooler and spend the day exploring Pike National Forrest and make an afternoon out of it! There's plenty of fishing, hiking and camping opportunities all over the mountain. There's an experience for everyone, but do
If you are looking for a more relaxed approach to experiencing the mountain, book a ticket for the Cog Railway. It’s a one-of-a-kind train that takes you to the brand new Summit House. From the Summit House, you can explore the deep history associated with Pike’s Peak and how the mountain has been explored over time. Before you leave the Summit House and head back down the mountain, be sure to grab a high altitude donut for the road! ;)
Wedding & portrait Photographer based in Colorado
Discover your next favorite print
WEDDING & PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER BASED IN COLORADO
Discover your next favorite print
WEDDING & PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER BASED IN COLORADO
Discover your next favorite print
Photographer tip:
Arrive before 9 a.m. to beat the tour buses and catch the soft morning light hitting the red rocks. Park at the Main lot to access the Central Gardens! Keep your eye out for the icons:
- Kissing Camels
- Balanced Rock
- Prayer Hands Formation
Garden of the Gods has many trail "spurs" that take you from one trail to the other. Make sure you keep track of which spur you take, so that you're able to find your way back!
Morning Coffee and a stroll through Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods and a stroll through Manitou Springs is a stellar combo and an excellent choice for an afternoon! You can choose your own pace of how to explore Garden of the Gods; you can park and hit the trails, or cruise through the park on your way to Manitou. Pro Tip: week days and mornings are considerably less busy than afternoons and weekends. Once you’re in the park, check out the Central Gardens or Balanced Rock! There’s parking scattered throughout and most trails are connected so if it’s busier in one area, you can make a lap around and check back or park at a nearby lot and hike your way over. Best advice for your first visit: check out the map of the park and plan ahead!
Activities to do in Manitou Springs
Manitou Springs is the eclectic neighbor to Colorado Springs, with just as much adventure, history and interest! There’s restaurants and shops all up and down the main strip of Manitou, most of them being locally-owned or small business. A neat place worth checking out is the Penny Arcade, which is home to many classic and vintage arcade games, and there just so happens to be a funnel cake stand nearby… 👀
- Penny Arcade - features antique arcade machines, pinball, skeeball, and all the quirky entertainment from decades past. There's also new machines so that fun can be had by all!
- Patsy's Candy & Gift Shop - a trove of sweets to choose from, as well as, the best funnel cake in Manitou! The line is definitely worth the wait.
If you're curious about the history of Manitou Springs, definitely book a local tour to learn about the legends of the town from the locals themselves.
- Miramont Castle Museum- one of the oldest standing relics of Manitou, home to many ghosts, some could say! There's a self guided tour and history tour, I'd recommend both!
- Jeep Tours - you're likely to see these cruising through Manitou and Garden of the Gods! Let someone do the driving for you, and see the beauty of Manitou Springs.
Places to eat in Manitou Springs
For an afternoon bite to eat, like I said there’s *too* many good choices, but you can never go wrong with lunch at Swirl or a burger and hang out on the lawn at Red Leg Brewing. I heard that the saying used to go is that after enduring the "hell" that is the Manitou Incline, you must pay tribute by getting a slice from Ruffrano's Hell's Kitchen for good luck. I'm not sure if folks still say that but it keeps the spirit alive for local restaurants to support the community.
This charming, quirky town is known for being a tourist hot spot in the spring and summer as folks make their way to and from the mountains. Really, there’s no “bad time” to visit as there’s something to discover each time you return!
Morning pit stops, evening eats, & sunset spots
Downtown Colorado Springs is dappled with historic homes and buildings, especially in the Old North End District as you drive into downtown. There’s store fronts filled with a variety of shopping, eateries and restaurants—all within eyeshot of Pike’s Peak!
There’s a passion-project of mine that includes sifting through the city for the best coffee in town. There have been many *very real* research hours dedicated to this said passion-project! Just don’t tell my accountant. Anyway! There’s a delightful cold brew on-tap at the boutique hotel, Kinship Landing, at the Homa Cafe. I’ve told every soul I know about that latte-in-a-keg because it’s so yummy and perfectly sweet. I imagine there’s a thing like that for everyone, but definitely worth a try when you’re in town! A local icon and charming cafe, Loyal Coffee continues to have a special place in my heart. Their brews are consistently wonderful and tasty and the atmosphere is where the commuter and community overlap. You already know, that cold brew is where it’s at! The cafe is always busy but when you can grab a seat, it makes for the perfect place to catch up with friends or become a great working space when you need to “get out of the office” for a bit.
Brekkie or Brunch?
If brunch is where you start your day, there’s a local favorite with delish libations from Urban Egg that you’ve got to try! There’s also Denver Biscuit Company who brings some serious game with their biscuits and gravy.
A night out in Colorado Springs
Night life and the dinner choices can be overwhelming because let’s be real we could talk about food until the cows come home. I could write a whole Foodie Guide on Colorado Springs but there’s plenty to choose from. A favorite date night place is The Rabbit Hole, which is quite literally underground! Upscale dining and craft cocktails themed to an Alice in Wonderland aesthetic. There’s a great lineup of eateries along the south end of Tejon Street downtown, such as and definitely limited to, Dos Santos, COATI,
Brody Lee Photo Company
Top places to watch the sunset
Cheyenne Mountain State Park
This stop is located south of town, quite literally placed between a military base and an underground bunker! Cheyenne Mountain State Park is one of my favorite places for the impressive panorama of rocky cliffs of the foothills. There's a daily fee to get into the park, or you can opt for the state park pass.
Pulpit rock
Located on the east side of the I-25 corridor, and close to the UCCS campus, Pulpit Rock is in the Austin Bluffs Open Space area with the unique geological formations that give you a spectacular view of Pike's
Garden of the Gods
I know, I know--HEAR ME OUT! This is the peak time of when everyone else and their dog will be there but it's a pretty magical place to watch the sun go down. The red rocks with the golden hour light is so special and worth seeing!
More favorite parks &
open spaces
Old quarry turned haven
Red Rock Canyon Open Space is the sibling to Garden of the Gods but much bigger! You won't find any "kissing camels" but you might run into wildlife, cyclists and many happy families exploring the trails of this expansive park. I feel like each time I visit the park, I'm able to find a new trail or perspective that I haven't seen before/
MORE FAVORITE PARKS &
OPEN SPACES
Perfectly Preserved Ranch Land
This stretch of acreage is the transition space of foothills to prairies, and welcomes recreation for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders. Its sweeping fields, limestone cliffs, and dappling of Ponderosa's make it a serene location year-round.
MORE FAVORITE PARKS &
OPEN SPACES
Neighborhood meets nature
This quaint park is located on the west side of Colorado Springs, has great views of the Front Range and is easy to explore if you're on a time budget. This park is directly plugged into the community, so you're bound to see folks of all ages out and about!
WEDDING & PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY FOR ADVENTUROUS, CHARISMATIC TRAVELERS
Why Visit with Me
Because I'm a local photographer–I not only recommend these spots, but I know when the light hits best and where to frame those quieter moments. It's one thing to experience the sun fading behind the mountains, but it's another thing to have the moment documented. Relive the feelings of the wind, the smell of ponderosa pines, and the glow of the sun!
It's a magical thing to capture, let's get to planning your next photo adventure together!
Brody Lee Photo Company -
Colorado springs has something to offer for every one.
Whether you’re heading for the trails or looking for a getaway, Colorado Springs has something to offer for every one! It’s no wonder it made the list of Best Places to Live by US News & World Reports because more and more people are falling in love with the mountains and the natural beauty of Colorado.
Being a photographer for over ten years, I’m constantly inspired by the landscape and the outdoors. There’s nothing I love more than sharing my travels and the really amazing natural spaces that are available to explore. I encourage every one to explore the outdoors and do-so responsibly, by following local regulations and Leave No Trace principles. This protects these natural spaces and allows for future recreational use by generations to follow. Please enjoy the great outdoors by also respecting them by following the Care for Colorado Leave No Trace Principles. Learn more about the principles and the Care for Coalition by clicking here.
